Amy tucked her hands into her armpits and bounced on her toes. It was cold. Colder than she’d expected when she’d set out this morning. She squinted at the cars in the Kiss and Ride parking area. Was he here already and parked? None of the cars looked familiar, but his sedan was rather plain...would she even recognize it in a lot full of similar vehicles? She was nearly ready to walk down the main aisle when the car turning into the pick-up lane caught her attention. There he was. She grinned and waved.

Zach leaned over and pushed open the passenger door. “Hey. Did you have to wait long? I was a little late leaving, sorry.”

“Not really. Maybe ten minutes?” Amy pulled the door closed and held her hands to the heating vent. “Chilly today.”

“I’m so sorry.” Zach frowned and took her hands between his, rubbing them.

“It’s really fine. I would’ve called if I was worried. Thanks for coming to get me. I guess I should’ve driven, I just hate driving in the suburbs.”

Zach snickered.

“What?”

He shrugged. “Usually you hear people complaining about driving in the city, not the other way around. I guess it’s what you’re used to, right?”

“I guess so.” She smiled and twisted so she could look at him, her back leaning against the door. “How was your Thanksgiving?”

“Really good. Paige did something to the turkey that made it actually taste good.”

She chuckled. “Not a turkey fan?”

“Not really. I don’t mind it on Thanksgiving. I get that. But once a year is more than ample.”

She cocked her head to the side. “What do you eat on Christmas?”

“Whatever I’m served.” He glanced over with a grin before flicking his turn signal and changing lanes. “Mom always made roast beef. So that’s definitely a preference. But since I’m usually not at home for Christmas, I’ll take whatever’s being served.”

“Why is that?”

“Why is what?”

“Why aren’t you home for Christmas?”

Zach sighed and turned into the driveway. “It’s complicated. Mom and Dad are great, but they’re not believers. So their rule is if I come home, I can’t talk about Jesus. That’s really hard at Christmastime. Usually I go home in the summer for a little bit. It makes more sense with a teacher’s schedule anyway. And it keeps things from being awkward. I think Mom, in particular, wishes I’d get over it. But neither of them understand how hard it is to leave Jesus out of a conversation about the time of year dedicated to celebrating His birth.”

Ouch. For all of the trouble with her extended family, they were, at least, all believers. She patted his leg. “That sounds hard. So...you have plans for this year?”

“With Ben and Rebecca getting married Christmas Eve out near Orange, I figure I’ll just hang out at the hotel there. Their restaurant is open and promising a buffet that looks incredible. Jackson and Paige are planning to drive back in the afternoon, after the ceremony though, so you could catch a ride with them. That was my initial plan, but the two of them are having her parents and his sister and her brood over to our house Christmas day. I’ll just be in the way.”

“Why don’t you come to my parents'? They’d love to have you. So would I.”

He searched her gaze before nodding, his lips easing into a smile. “Okay. I’d like that.”

Amy made a mental note to make sure it was okay with her mom. It wasn’t likely to be a problem, one more at the table was never a bad thing. Not to Mom. As Zach pulled into the driveway, she turned and assessed the house. Ben was up on a ladder hanging lights along the roof line. Rebecca stood below him, handing up loops of cord as he needed it. Jackson and Paige were wrapping lights around the trees in the front yard. All four of them looked cold. “Do you have anything that needs to be done inside?”

Zach laughed. “Let’s go find out.”

Logs crackled in the fireplace on the TV hanging on the living room wall. The lights were dim, and the tree twinkled in the corner. Quiet Christmas music spilled out of the speakers. Amy leaned back against Zach’s legs and peered over the steaming mug of hot chocolate she held between her hands. It was still too hot to drink, but it warmed her fingers and cheeks. Jackson and Paige sat in much the same way as she and Zach. Ben reclined the easy chair, Rebecca draped across his lap. The perfect ending to a full, but fun, day.

“You’re coming to our wedding, right Amy?” Rebecca leaned over, nearly toppling off Ben’s lap, had he not grabbed her leg, and set her empty mug on the coffee table.

“Zach said something about needing a date. So, yeah, if that’s okay.”

“Of course it’s okay. Why wouldn’t it be?” Rebecca shook her head. “Honestly. These three are the kinds of friends that are going to be in each other’s pockets for the long haul. It’s a good thing I happen to like the women they’ve chosen.”

“Hear hear.” Paige raised her mug in a salute.

Heat burned across Amy’s face. Chosen? Sure, she and Zach were dating, but it was too early to be thinking about a future. Wasn’t it? Even if he was the first person she’d been able to picture life down the road with, that didn’t mean it was a done deal. What if he didn’t feel the same? He said he loved her, but feelings could change. And for all he talked about love being a choice you made day after day, there was no reason for him to keep making that choice. Not yet. They weren’t in a binding relationship. She offered a tight smile. “I like you guys—gals?—too.”

Paige laughed. “Guys is fine with me. I’m not one of those who are easily offended.”

Jackson snickered. “Since when?”

“Since you taught me that jumping to conclusions wasn’t always the best way to solve problems.” Paige flicked his leg.

Rebecca groaned. “Is that your besetting sin, too? Maybe it comes from being an intelligent, together woman? If you get used to knowing the right way to do things, when that’s not what happens, you just write off the offending person.”

Ben shook his head. “If it helps you sleep at night. I happen to know for a fact our courtship would’ve been easier if you’d not possessed that particular trait.”

Zach cleared his throat. “I wouldn’t know anything about that.”

“Hey.” Amy twisted around and stuck her tongue out at Zach. “I’m going with Rebecca’s explanation, and tacking on that when you assume people are going to let you down, you’re not usually disappointed.”

Silence blanketed the room. Too far? She wasn’t wrong. Maybe it was one of those things you thought, though, not one you said aloud.

“Did you tell Amy about the students you saw at Bread of Heaven last night?” Rebecca jumped into the quiet. Ben patted her knee.

Zach shook his head. “I hadn’t gotten to it yet.”

“Did you all go?” Amy sipped her cocoa, letting the hot liquid warm her suddenly frozen insides. She really needed to learn to keep her mouth shut.

“Ended up that way, yeah. When Paige’s mom and dad found out where we were headed, they rolled up their sleeves and jumped in. I guess it used to be something they did that they’d gotten away from.” Zach laid his hand on her shoulder.

Paige nodded. “Before my time, apparently. But, yeah. He and mom had the best time. I expect you’ll be seeing more of them down there, Rebecca.”

“That’s great. We can always use people who know their way around the kitchen.” Rebecca grinned up at Ben. “We get a lot of volunteers who are better off in less food-related roles.”

“It’s not my fault I’m a hopeless cook.” Ben frowned. “At least my heart’s in the right place.”

“Unlike any spices you’re asked to add.” Zach ducked the balled up napkin Ben tossed at him. “There were a lot of kids there with their families—both to eat and to help out. Jamal and Rhiann came.”

“How are they? I looked for Rhiann at school and couldn't find her.” Amy twisted so she could see Zach better.

He frowned. “Her mom kicked her out. Said she was eighteen and no longer her responsibility. I guess she’s been staying at B of H since Saturday. Jamal’s mom was there. She’s a steady presence and fully supportive of the two of them getting married. As soon as Jamal’s eighteen, she’s planning to take them to the courthouse herself. Offered to let them live with her, too, once the deed’s done.”

“But not before.” Jackson chuckled. “She had quite a bit to say about that. However, when she found out Rhiann was at B of H, she marched off to make some calls. I’m guessing that girl had spare room offers from six different families before her turkey was finished.”

Zach nodded. “Yeah, their downstairs neighbor, who is, incidentally, their landlord, took her in. And the apartment next to Jamal’s mom is coming vacant in June. She said she’d work something out for them to be able to afford it. I’m guessing it’ll involve regular haircuts and car maintenance.”

That was her neighborhood. Most of the people were willing to pitch in when there was a need. If they could. Not everyone could. Still, it warmed her heart. “That’s great.”

“I’m guessing we’ll see both of them back at school on Monday. D’Andre and his mom were there as well, but they were working in the serving line this year. She got a pay raise at work and is now able to afford her rent and still buy groceries, so she said she wanted to give back where she could.”

Rebecca nodded. “I heard about that. D’Andre still comes by after school now and then, but I think it’s more to hang out than anything. He doesn’t even need math help all that often anymore.”

Zach laughed. “Yeah, reading the book and doing homework will help with that. I still don’t understand being too cool to be seen carrying books around, but I passed the word to his other teachers and a second set of books got delivered to his door in just about every subject. Now he just has to figure out how to stay off the dean’s list so he doesn’t get ragged on.”

Amy chuckled. “You’re going to ruin his reputation. Good for you. He’s a sweet kid. And his art... It’s amazing.”

They chatted about this and that, the conversation ebbing and flowing between couples, for another hour before Rebecca slid off Ben’s lap and stretched. “I should go. I have to work tomorrow.”

“They scheduled PT on the Saturday after Thanksgiving?” Jackson frowned. “That doesn’t seem fair.”

Rebecca shrugged. “Such is life. But I think I get OT, so I’m not complaining. Too much. Sara will be there, too, so that helps. You ready, Paige, or do you want to see if Jackson will run you home later?”

“Nah, I’ll come. We’re open tomorrow, too. Two days closed is plenty. I don’t want people thinking we went out of business. Nor do I want my employees finding themselves short of cash at the end of the month.” Paige leaned up and pressed her lips to Jackson’s. “Can we drop you at the Metro, Amy? It’s basically on the way.”

“I’ll take—”

“That’d be good.” Amy spoke over Zach. She patted his knee as she stood, but hesitated to kiss him in front of everyone else. He’d understand, wouldn’t he? “It’s cold. There’s no reason for you to go out if you don’t have to. I’ll text you later.”

Zach’s eyes clouded and he grabbed her hand. “You’re sure?”

“Yeah, of course.” Amy waved. “Thanks for letting me help today. You guys have a pretty good setup for a bunch of bachelors.”

Amy lay in bed looking up at the ceiling. Being with Zach was like being home. Didn’t matter where they were: his house, school, his enormous church... If he was there, she was home. That couldn’t possibly be okay, could it? Was she somehow losing her identity as an independent woman and melting into Zach’s other half? Would she become one of those people who was simply known as “Zach’s wife” instead of Amy?

Wife? Where had that come from? Was that even what he intended? It had to be—he’d hinted at it, certainly. But there was no suggestion of a timeframe. They’d been coworkers, then friends, for a couple of years. And now...he loved her. She didn’t doubt it. He showed it in all the little ways. He was patient, kind, always looking for the best in her. And she loved him...even if she wasn’t always as true to First Corinthians as he was.

Her cell phone buzzed. She glanced at the clock as she fumbled for it. Who’d be texting this late at night? A chuckle escaped as she read her Dad’s text. He always knew. Even when she lived blocks away. She typed back a response. She’d barely finished hitting send when the phone rang.

“Hey, Daddy.”

“Can’t sleep, baby girl?” Her father’s voice soothed the ruffles she hadn’t even known she had.

“Not really. Where are you? Don’t wake Mom.”

“I’m in the kitchen, got the doors closed. She’s snoring like a lumberjack. What’s bothering you?”

Amy listened to the noises over the phone and pictured her dad in his bathrobe and slippers at the kitchen table, his feet propped on a chair—something that drove her mother crazy. “Do I jump to conclusions, Dad?”

He laughed. Amy frowned and bit her tongue. “Oh. You were serious? You do, baby girl, you do. You always have. You always wanted to know the whole story immediately, with all the whys and wherefores laid out, even if your mother and I didn’t think you were old enough for them. It’s why you never believed in Santa Claus.”

“Santa? What’s he got to do with anything?” Amy rolled to her side and tugged the blankets up over her shoulder.

“When you were little, we took you out for a photo on Santa’s lap. But we passed probably sixteen bell-ringing Santas on the way. So when we got there, you were furious. How could he have been manning all those kettles and still be here? And rather than any of our explanations about how this was the real one and those were elves, you jumped straight to the conclusion that the whole Santa business was a lie. We weren’t going to push—lie ourselves, but your mom always worried it took some of the magic out of childhood.”

“Huh. I don’t think I lost any magic, thanks. And in that case, even though you say I jumped to a conclusion, it’s not like I was wrong.”

Her father chuckled. “No, that’s true. But that isn’t always the case. You remember when your bike went missing when you were what, twelve?”

Amy cringed. Not her finest moment. Her bike wasn’t where she always locked it, she called 9-1-1 and reported it stolen. Insisted on a police report, the whole thing, no matter how her mom tried to get her to calm down. Before the cops had even left, Dad showed up with a new bike in the back of the car. He’d traded in the one that was getting too small for the one she’d been drooling over in the store flyer even though she’d known it was too expensive. “Yeah, well, it wasn’t an unreasonable conclusion.”

“No, baby, it wasn’t. But if you’d just taken a breath and trusted your Mother, we could’ve avoided a lot of fuss. And headaches. Instead, you wouldn’t listen and you barreled off on a course of action, and nothing anyone said was going to dissuade you. Remember the goldfish?”

She sighed. “Okay, Dad. I get it. I assume the worst and make snap decisions. There are times it comes in handy. Granddad’s stroke?”

“I didn’t say it was always bad. But even in that situation, one deep breath as you paused to think wouldn’t have made a negative difference. It would just have confirmed what needed to be done. Why is this bothering you tonight?”

She told her dad about the conversation at Zach’s.

“Oh, baby girl. You can’t walk around expecting the world to disappoint you. You’re right, you’ll definitely be disappointed in life. But if all you’re looking at is the downside, the disappointments, you’ll miss out on the joy.”

Amy flopped to her back and scoffed.

“Can you imagine if our Heavenly Father had based His response to us on your philosophy? He would’ve kicked Adam and Eve out of the garden and turned His back. There would’ve been no Noah, no Moses, no Promised Land, and certainly no Jesus. Because we will always, with the best of intentions, be a disappointment to our Creator. But He doesn’t give up and expect—and accept—that. No, He says to us, ‘be holy, as I am holy.’ He knows we can’t. He knows we’ll try and fail. But He knows that as long as we’re striving toward holiness—and that we understand that only comes only through a deepening relationship with Him—that, disappointment or not, there will also be joy.”

She sighed. Why did it have to be so hard? “I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you too, baby girl. Get some sleep.”

Amy hit ‘end’ and tossed her phone on the nightstand. Hope for the best, but expect the worst. Somewhere along the line, she’d lost sight of that first part. How did she turn it around and start seeing the potential for joy?